Sony is rolling out a new feature for the PlayStation Network that will allow users who pre-purchase a game to download it before release.

Sony is rolling out a new feature for the PlayStation Network that will allow users who pre-purchase a game to download it before release.

The pre-loading ability will begin next week with Sorcery, a game that lets players use the PlayStation Move motion controllers to fire magical bolts at a host of mystical creatures inspired by Irish legend.

Valve's Steam software already comes with a similar pre-loading feature, which is one of its many appeals, and the rising popularity of downloaded games has given many gaming firms pause for thought about the future direction of the industry.

Sony is clearly beginning to recognise what makes digital downloading work, which is not having to spend several hours, or in some cases, when users have poor internet connections or the download servers are being throttled, days downloading a game, especially on launch day.

Pre-loading a game will give players more time to download a title before it even releases, which will remove a lot of the anguish and frustration players feel when a game releases. Since gamers need to pre-purchase to avail of this service it will also help drum up some early sales.

Of course, since the game will be downloaded and will only need to be unlocked on launch day, it begs the question whether or not any resourceful gamers might find a way to play it before its intended release.